Category: Boat testsDescription: Short test
This Tony Castro-designed family cruiser is really fast and fun to sail, with plenty of space below and a useful drying out capability. She is a wholly innovative yacht. She is capable of a remarkably smooth, high performance, yet she will cosset a crew

Category: Boat testsDescription: Short test
An American designed and built fast family cruiser whose performance compares favourably with her European sisters. 'On all points the yacht tracked well; this was particularly noticeable on abroad reach and run'.

Category: Boat testsDescription: Short test
A fast selling small family cruiser with a novel interior, twin rudders and a high performance, the Spring will soon be starring in Howard's Way. In cruising trim she is comfortable and the potential of the yacht as a club racer is sure to be fully exploi

Category: Boat testsAuthor: James JermainDescription: Onboard
There is more than a hint of the Barracuda in this Tony Castro, lifting keel fast cruiser. The Parker 31 is a fascinating boat with a lot to recommend her.

Category: Boat testsDescription: Short test
This innovative yet easy-to-sail cruiser is a joint design effort by Gary Hoyt and John Oakeley. Under sail she is remarkably stiff and we were very impressed by the lack of effort required to set and trim the rig.

Category: Boat tests / Trailer boatsDescription: Short test
Neat launching, good performance and a sensible interior make this trailer-sailer a prime candidate for club racing or family weekending. She has the trailer-sailer capability which allows her owners to sample far flung cruising grounds.

Category: Boat tests / Construction & designAuthor: James JermainDescription: Tony Castro design
His brief had been for a shoal draught, easily handled luxury cruiser, to which Tony Castro has added his own desire for good light weather performance.

Category: Boat testsDescription: Short test
An interesting and innovative wheelhouse cruiser which is comfortable to live aboard and fun to sail. This is a yacht which is sure to be popular with families who like to enjoy their sailing cocooned in comfort.

Category: Boat testsAuthor: Geoff PackDescription: Onboard
Antigua 37, a fast, spacious and spartan cruising cat from France. Design and construction, Below decks, On deck, Under way, Conclusions. The 37 is primarily a family cruiser designed for practicality rather than high performance.

Category: Boat testsDescription: Short test
A fast family cruiser/racer from the French Kirie stable, the 286 comes with wing or fin keel and two accommodation layout options. She is extremely easy to handle under power and great fun to sail.

Category: Boat testsDescription: Short test
Creature comforts and performance are combined in this easy to handle 40-footer, designed to tap an expanding market. The yacht is fun to sail and comfortable to live aboard. She represents good value for money.

Category: Boat testsAuthor: Andrew BrayDescription: Designed by Sparkman & Stephens as a high performance cruising boat or cruiser/racer She 32C - 'I like this boat because
She is well built and sensibly fitted out incorporating a lot of good practical ideas... 'What I saw of the boat She, should satisfy someone looking for a practical high performance cruising yacht which should also not disappoint him if he raced her'.

Category: Boat testsDescription: Long test
Innovative detail design and a fresh approach to the management of running rigging result in a fast cruiser which is delightful to sail. We look at accommodation, on deck, rig and sails, construction, under power and sail.

Category: Boat testsAuthor: Colin JarmanDescription: Design section
High performance Maxi 25ft 6in (7.70m). Of extreme short keel design, the Maxi has the ultra-quick reactions of an overgrown dinghy. Maxi is a very fast, lively boat with performance and accommodation for the family.

Category: Boat tests / New boatsAuthor: Graham SnookDescription: new boat test
Graham relishes a breezy test sail aboard an innovative aluminium centreboarder. Performance, at the helm, design and construction, sailplan, deck layout, living aboard. What's she like to sail? Would she suit you and your crew?

Category: Boat tests / New boatsDescription: On board
A yacht for the green waters of the Channel and the blue of the Med.
Those looking for a capable, large family cruiser or a substantial retirement cruising home will probably find this new model from Dutch builders Conyplex, on their short list.

Category: Boat tests / New boatsAuthor: Chris BeesonDescription: New boat test
Designed as a base for everything from a dayboat to a three-cabin cruiser, is she jack-of-all-trades? Performance, at the helm, design & construction, deck layout, living aboard. What's she like to sail? Would she suit you and your crew?

Category: Boat testsDescription: Long test - MG 36CS
MG Yachts have filled out their range of performance cruisers with this Tony Castro design built in Canada. Testing her in light to moderate winds, we found her responsive and fast, without compromising comfort below decks

Category: Boat testsAuthor: Colin JarmanDescription: A new versatile Carter-designed lifting keel yacht.
Under sail the boat will surprise many with her performance and for those people who either have to keep their boat on a drying mooring or prefer to seek out the quieter backwaters, she should prove very attractive.

Category: Boat testsDescription: Short test
A good looking, modern family cruiser designed by Pelle Petterson joins a popular Swedish fleet. The yacht was well balanced and accelerated enthusiastically after each tack. All round visibility was good and ease of handling will appeal to families

Category: Boat tests / Used boatsAuthor: Jeremy EvansDescription: Used boat test
Jeremy enjoys a fast passage on the superb X-40, a true performance cruiser. At the helm, design and construction, sailplan, deck layout, living aboard. What's she like to sail? Would she suit you and your crew?

Category: Boat testsDescription: Beneteau First Class Challenge, J/92, Shamrock 9.5, Tripp 33.
Something is stirring in the yachting industry. A new breed of boats with a high performance, yet ease of handling which makes them suitable for family cruiser-racing, is making an appearance. We try out four examples.

Category: Boat testsAuthor: James JermainDescription: Onboard
In standard form she has a very slim, deep keel with a spade hung rudder on a short skeg.
Designed as a family cruiser, she is a replacement for the more performance orientated First 28.

Category: Boat testsAuthor: Geoff PackDescription: Sailing review: Caravela 22
She was designed to be fast and competitive for racing but not so extreme as to discount the role of a fast weekend cruiser. We look at hull & deck, rig & sails, accommodation, performance under power & sail.

Category: Boat testsAuthor: Colin JarmanDescription: Power & sail - Pegasus 800
Fast, family cruiser. The Pegasus 800 is a good boat to sail with an unusual interior design. We sailed her on a quiet Winter day and was a fine boat to handle.

Category: Boat testsAuthor: George TaylorDescription: Boats, power and sail: Leisure 27
The new Leisure 27 is clearly aimed at the family. Handy under sail, fast too. A rare combination of high-performance and comfort.